Hello,
I came across the Nexus a few weeks ago while looking to further my understanding of the structure and mechanisms of action of DMT in the brain... and WOW, what a treasure trove of posts!
So by way of introduction, little history: I started experimenting with LSD in my late teens and it quickly became my favorite. In my world, the cultural bubble I grew up in, psychedelics were always seen as medicines for the mind, tools for learning and exploration, and powerful substances to be used with care and respected. Dropping Acid was certainly not a rebellious thing to do! I used LSD consistently for about 4 years without any bad experiences or negative consequences. In fact, I'm sure it was a huge help to me. I always new about DMT but it was never around to try. I'm not sure I would have tried it back then even if it was, I understood smoking it to be a very intense experience and I'm a rather low-intensity person.
But, as life went on I lost touch with the community of like-minded psychedelic explorers and found myself in the real world. Along with that came the typical use of a few boring drugs, namely alcohol. I had, however, developed a keen curiosity for exploring them mind, which manifested in a doctorate degree in psychology and a lot of study and practice of meditation.
I've always been very interested in drugs and addiction, the topics fascinate me... and likewise, very much disheartened by the lack of adequate treatments that were available to people close to me who struggled with alcoholism and addictions to other drugs. With that interest and experience I chose to become a researcher in the addictions field. Specifically, I am working on research on the use of psychedelics as potential treatments for addiction.
But that's not exactly why I'm here.
After over 15 years with no psychedelics I finally came to learn of the many possibilities for creating psychoactive substances in this category in my own kitchen, with easily (legally) purchased ingredients. I felt like a great light had been turned on in my life, here I came, out of the dark. With just a little patience and enguiniety I could finally explore myself with these tools again. Trouble is, I'm alone. I have no friends who are candidates to walk these paths with me, nor am I about to go out recruiting. After a lot of preparation and self-exploration through meditation I finally took my first trip in this new phase of life last week. I used an ayahuasca preparation that I made myself. I went with the oral preparation because like I said I'm pretty sure smoking DMT would be a bit too intense for me. I did have a sitter, fortunately, an old friend who was very supportive of the idea, but could not join me in the journey.
I had an amazing time and have a lingering sense of peace in my heart which I don't think I have ever felt. I feel more present, connected, and content then I remember ever feeling. This was a truly remarkable healing trip and I am so grateful for those who made it possible by sharing their knowledge and insights online. I have repeated this experiment once already and will again... soon.
SO, here I am, curious to share and learn from others.